Safe automatic drifting device for locomotives.



W. T. BIDDLE..

SAFE AUTOMATIC DRIFTING DEVICE FOR LOCOMOTIVES. APPLIQATION FILED 020.11, 1915.

1 51,328. Patented Dec. 25, 1917.

UNITED STATES. PATENT orFroE.

WILLIAM T. BIDDLE, OF WILMINGTON, DELAWARE. AS SIGNOR F bNE-HALF TO STANLEY HAMMOND, OF WILMINGTON, DELAWARE.

sun AUTOMATIC nnin'rrne DEVICE FOR LoooMorIvns. 1

Application filed December a, 1915. Serial No. 65,833; 1

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WVILLIAM T. BIDDLE, a citizen of the United States, residing in Wilmington, in the county of New Castle and State of Delaware, have invented new and useful Improvements in Safe Automatic Drifting Devices for Locomotives, of which the following is a specification.

' This device is so designed as to automatically admit a predetermined amount of saturated steam through the super-heating units, when used on super-heating locomotives, or to the main valve chambers or the cylinders, andto automatically close oft'the same when the locomotive comes to a rest.

The objects of admitting steam under the above conditions are: first, to prevent the formation of a vacuum, which will also prevent induction of hot gases from the front end extension into the steam cylinders and valve chambers, which causes carbonization of lubricant oil; second',lto prevent the over-heating of super-heating units-used with super-heating steam engines by the induction of hot gases from the fire box; third, to take up by degrees the momentum of reciprocating parts, especially on large locomotives; and fourth, to prevent slack action in long trains by keeping train stretched until it is brought to rest.

In order that the invention may be better understood, reference is had to the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification.

In the drawing a vertical sectional view of the appliance is shown.

Referring specifically to the drawing, 1 denotes a valve casing containing a passageway 2 one end 3 of which is connected to a source of boiler steam supply, the connection being preferably made between the steam dome and the forward end of the boiler. The other end 4 of the passageway is connected with the engine cylinder. A direct connection may be made or a connection with the superheater' header or the main valve chamber of the cylinder. Thus, it will be seen that saturated steam from the boiler enters the valve casing at 3, and super-heated steam may enter at- 4.

- -In the passageway 2 are two ported partitions provided with valves 5 and 6, re spectively, the valve 5 being the first one from the end3 of the passageway 2 and the valvej 6' being at the end 4. l'When fthese Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 25,1917.

valves are open, steam from the boileris free to flow through the passageway from the end 3 to the end 4, and thence to the cylinder or other part to which the latter end is connected. The; valve casing 1 also has a chamber 7 in which is slidably mounted a controlling valve, 8 having four heads defining three annular cavities or ports in the body ofthe valve, 'the'same being indicated at 9, 10 and '11, respectively. The upper end of the valve 8 has a stem 12 around which is coiled a spring l 'whichis held-between the top of the valveand a nut- 14 screwed into acylinder 15 mounted on the valve casing 1 in linewiththc chamber 7, and forming a guide for the upperend of the valve 8. The nut 14: is adjustable in the cylinder 15 to vary the tension of the spring 13. ,The

outer end of the cylinder 15 is closedfby. a cap '16.

' The valve 5 is carried bya piston 17 slidably mounted in a bore 18 formed in the valve casing 1. and backed by a'spring..19 held between the top of the piston and a nut 20 closing the upper endofthe bore. The end of the piston. opposite the end engacred'by the spring is exposed to the boiler pressure,ftl1e bore 18 opening at this end into the passageway 2. The piston has an equalizing port 21.

The valve 6 is connected by a stem 22 to a valve 23 controlling a vent port 24. at one end of a duct 25 in the valve casing, the other end of said duct leading from the valve chamber 7. The valve 23' is backed by a spring 26 held between the top thereof and a screw plug 27 carried by the valve casing 1 in line with the port 24, the top of the valve also having a guide stem 28 working in a guide aperture in the plug.

In the valve casing 1 is also a duct 29 leading from the end 3 of the passageway 2 to-one side of the valve chamber 7 A duct 30 leads from the bore-l8, above the piston 17, to the other side of the .cbamber 7.

The duct 30 has-a branch 31 also leading to the chamber 7 From the end 4 of the passa eway 2, above thevalve 6, leads a bypass 32, the'same having a branch 33 which leads to the bottom. of the chamber 7.. A small-equalizing port' 34 testablishes communication between the passageway :2' beneath thevalve '6, and the by pass 32..

i The end, 4* of the passageway 21 has an outlet 35 into a steam reservoir 36, said out let being provided with a ball-check valve 37, and communicating with the passageway 2 beneath thevalve 6 by a duct 38.

The valve casing, 1 also has two small ports 39 for drain cocks;

The operation of the appliance is as follows:-

Steam from the boiler enters the passageway 2 at 3 and is free to pass through the duct 29 to the valve cavity 10; Steam also passes to the under side of'the piston 17 whichis held down by its spring 19, and said piston holds the valve 5'to'its seat. Steam also passes through the equalizing port 21, and along the duct 30, and thence by way of the valve cavity 9 to the duct 25 to the valve 23 which is held to its seat by the spring 26 and the steam-pressure. The steam pressure on the ends of the piston 17 being balanced, the pressure of the spring 19 holds the piston down and the valve 5 closed. lVhen the main throttle of the locomotive is opened, superheated steam enters the passageway 2 at 4. This pressure opens the checkvalve 37 and steam flows quickly into the reservoir 36, and passes from the latter, through the duct 38 into the passageway 2 below the-valve 6. The pressure on opposite sides of the valve 6 is therefore equalized and it remains closed. The super=heated steam also passes bythe-wayof the ducts 32 and 33 to the lower end of the valve 8, and when the pressure exceeds the'tension of the spring 13 which holds the valve down, said valve will rise untilstopped by the stem 12 striking the cap 16; As the valve 8 rises, the cavity 9 no longer establishes communication between the ducts 30a1'1d 25, and the cavity 11 nowla'ps the ducts 29 and '31, so that the boiler pressure is admitted through these ducts to the top or'sp'ring'side of the piston 17. \Vhen the'main throttle of the locomotive is-closed,the'check valve 37 prevents the steam from'back'flowing from the reservoir 36 to the passageway 2, and the only outlet for this pre'ssureis through the small port 34,-so that an equal pressure is maintained on both sides of the'valve 6 when the same is seated after the locomotive; comes to-a standstill. The main throttle be-i ing closed, the pressure from the top of the; steam and the engine independent of the valve 6 will escape much faster while the 10 comotive is moving than the pressure from the reservoir 36 can escape through the port 34, so that the pressure below said valve willf raise it from'its seat, and as it is" connected; to the valve 23 the'latter is also opened to allow the .pressure'in the duct 25 to escape through the port 24 andbythe way of 'the end 4 of the passageway 2,throu'gh the exhaust port'svto .the' atmosphere. 'When the pressure under the valve .8rhas reduced below the tension of'theiIspringJ18, said *valveais .forced? down by theas pring; shutting efi'ithe boiler pressure from the top of the piston 17, as the cavity 11 now does not connect the ducts 29 and 31, and connecting this pressure to-the port 2% by the way of the port 21, and ducts 30 and 25. As the valve 23 is open, the pressure escapes into the passageway 2 resulting in a sudden drop of pressure on the upper end or spring side of the piston 17, so that the greater pressure under said piston raises the same against the tension of the spring, and asthe valve 5 is connected to the piston it rises off its seat. The valve 5 now being open, the boiler pressure passes fromthe end 3 of the passageway 2 to the valve 6, and as the latter is now also open, it will be evident that saturated s'team from the boiler can pass from the end 4 of the passageway to the engine cylinders, the valve 6 remaining open until the locomotive stops. lVhen the pressure in the main valve chamber or in the cylinders exceeds the tension of the spring 13, the valve Sagain rises, shutting off the port 24 from the upper :or spring end of the piston 17, and cutting in the boiler pressure on said end of the piston, and as the pressure is now equalized on both ends of the piston, the spring 19 forces the piston down and closes the valve 5, thus shutting off steam from the boiler to the cylinders.

i I claim:

l 1. A drifting valve appliance comprising a passage establishing communication be tween a source of saturated steam and the engine independent ofthe main steam supply thereof, a valve mechanism controlling the passage, a reservoir having a supply connection with the pressure at the outlet end 01. the passage, and a means for permitting an opening movement of the aforesaid valve mechanism, said means including a valve which closes the passage when seated, and is exposed on one side to the pressure in 'the reservoir and on the other side to the pressure in the outlet end ofthe passage,

, tives comprising a passage establishing communication between a source of saturated main steam supply thereof, a'valve mechanlsm controlling the passage, and a means jjfor permitting an opening movement of said 9721 3 8 mechanism, sald means including a ':valve which closes the passage when seated,

and which is, during the time the locomotive is running under steam, exposed onboth sides to the pressure in the outlet end of the passage, and a controlling valve for said means subject to and actuated by'the steam pressure in the outlet end of the passage.

3.VA drifting valve appliance comprising arcasingi'having a passageway which is condependent of the main steam supply thereof,

a valve controllingthe passageway, a pis ton connected tosaid valve, a second valve n the passageway, a vent valve connected to said second valve, and a steam actuated controlling valve subject to the pressure at the second mentioned end of the passageway, and a having means for establishing and breaking communicationbetween the back of the piston and the first mentioned end of the passageway, and also between the back of the piston and the vent valve.

4. A drifting valve. appliance comprising a casing having a passageway which is con nected at one end to a source of saturated steam, and at the other end to the engine independent of the main steam supply thereof, a valve controlling the passageway, a piston connected to said valve, a second valve in the passageway, a vent valve connected to said second valve, afsteam actuated controlling valve subject to the pressure at the second mentioned end of the passageway, and having means for establishing and breaking communication between the back of the piston and the first mentioned end of the passageway, and also between the back of the piston and the vent valve, and afspringresisting the steam pressure on the controlling valve. a

5. A drifting valveappliance comprising a casing having a passageway which is connected at one end to asource of saturated steam, and at the other end to the engine independent of the main steam supply thereof, a valve controlling the passageway, a piston connected to said valve a second valve in the passageway, and exposed on both sides to the pressure at the second mentioned end thereof, a vent valve connected to said second valve, and a steam actuated controlling valve subject to the pressure at the second mentioned end of the passageway, and having means for establishing and breaking communication between the back of thepiston and the first mentioned end of the passageway, and also between-the back of the piston andthe vent valve.

6. A drifting valve appliance comprising a casing having a. passageway which is connected at one end to a source of saturated steam, and at the other end to the engine independent of the main steam supply thereof, a valve controlling the passageway, a piston connected to said valve, asecond valve in the passageway,a vent valve connected to said second valve, a steam actuated controlling valve subject to the pressure at the second mentioned end of the passageway, and having, means for establishing and breaking communication between the, back-of the piston andthe first mentioned end of the passageway, and also between the back of the piston and ,the vent valve, a reservoir connected, to the second mentioned end of the passageway-and having an outlet to one side of the second mentioned valve, the other side of said valve being exposed to the pressure, in the second mentioned end of the passageway, and an equalizing port between the opposite sides of the valve. 1 V

- 7.: A drifting valve appliance comprising a casinghaving a passageway which is connected at one end to a source of saturated steam, and at the other end to the engine in dependent of the main steam supply thereof,

avalve controlling the passageway, a piston connected to said valve, a second valve in the passageway, avent valve connected to said second valve, a steam actuated controllingvalve subject to the pressure at the second mentioned end of the passageway, and having means for establishing and breaking communication between the back of the piston and the first mentioned end of the passageway, and also between the back of the piston and the vent valve, a reservoir CO1]: nected to the second mentioned end of the passageway and having an outlet to oneside of the second mentioned valve, the other side of said valve being exposed to the pressure in the second mentioned end of the passageway, an equalizing port between the oppositesides of the valve, and a check valve at the inlet to the reservoir.

8. A drifting valve appliance comprising a casing having a passageway which is'con-. nected at one end to a source of saturated steam, and at the other end to the engine independent of the main steam supply thereof, a valve controlling the passageway, a piston connected to said valve, a second valve in the assa ewav. a vent valve connected to saidsecond valve, a steam actuated controlling valve subject to the pressure at the second mentioned end of the passageway, and having means for establishing and breaking communication between the back of the piston and the first mentioned end of the,pas-. sageway, and also between the'back of the piston and the vent valve, and a spring engaging one side of the piston.

9. A drifting valve appliance comprising, a casing having a passageway which is con? nected at one end toa source of saturated steam, and at the other end to theengine in-;

dependent of the main steam supply thereof, a valve controlling said passageway," apiston connected to said valve and havingan equalizing port, a spring for movingthe piston in a direction to close the valve, a second valve 1n the passageway, a vent'duct leading, from one side of the plston and ha'vmganoutlet into the second mentioned end of the back of the piston, said valve: also establishing and breaking communication between the back of the piston and the aforesaid vent outlet, a chamber in which the controlling valve is slidably mounted, one end of the chamber being connected to thesecond men tioned end of the passageway, a spring forcing the controlling valve in the direction of the last mentioned end of the chamber, a reservoir connected to the second mentioned end of the passageway and having an outlet to one side of the second mentioned valve, and an equalizing port from said side of the valve to its opposite side.

10. A drifting valve appliance comprising a casing having a passageway whichis connected at one end to a source of saturated steam, and at the other end to the engine independent of the main steam supply thereof, a valve controlling said passageway, a piston connected to said valve and having an equalizing port, a second valve in the passageway, a vent duct leading from one side of the piston and having an outlet into the second mentioned end of the passageway, a valve for said outlet connected to the second mentioned valve, a controlling valve for admitting steam from the first mentioned end of the passageway to the back of the piston, said valve also establishing and breaking communication between the back of the piston and the aforesaid vent outlet, a chamber in which the controlling valve is slidably mounted, one end of the chamber being connected to the second mentioned end of the passageway, a spring forcing the controlling valve in the direction of the last mentioned end of the chamber, a reservoir connected to the second mentioned end of the passageway and having an outlet to one side of the second mentioned valve, and an equalizing port from said side of the valve to its opposite side.

' 11. A drifting valve appliance comprising a casing having a passageway whichis connected at one end to a source of saturated steam, and at the other end to the engine independent of the main steam supply thereof,

avalve controlling said passageway, a piston connected to said valve and having an equali zing port, a second valve in the passageway, a vent duct leading from one side of the piston and having an outlet 1nto the second mentioned end of the passageway, a valve for said outlet connected to the second mentioned valve. a controlling valve for admitting steam from the first mentioned end of the passageway,a spring forcing the controlling'valve inthe' direction of the last mentioned end of the chamben'a reservoir connected to thesecond mentioned end of the passageway and having an outlet to one side of the second mentioned valve, an equalizing port from said side of the valve to its opposite side, and a check valve at the inlet to the reservoir.

'12. A drifting valve appliance comprising a casing having a passageway which is con' nected at one end to a source-of saturated steam, and at the other end to the engine independent of the main steam supplythereof, a valve controlling said passageway, a piston connected to said valve and having an equalizing port, a second valve in the passageway, a vent duct leading from one side of the piston-and having an outletinto the second mentioned end of the passageway, a valve for said outlet connected to the second mentioned valve, a controlling valve for admitting steam from the first mentioned end of the passageway to the back of the piston, said valve being subject to the pressure at the second'mentioned' end of the passageway and also establishing and breaking communication between the back of the piston and the aforesaid vent'outlet, and a spring resisting such pressure.

13. A drifting valve appliance comprising a casing having a passagewaywhich is connected at one end to a source of saturated steam, and at the other end to the engine independent of the main steam supply thereof, a valve controlling said passageway, a piston connected to said Valve and having an equalizing port, a second valve in the passageway, a vent duct leading'from one side of the piston and having an outlet into the second mentioned end of the passageway, 21- valve for said outlet connected to the second mentioned valve, and a controlling valve for admitting steam from the first mentioned end of the passageway to the back of the piston, said valve being subject to the pres-V sure at the s'econd'mentioned end of the passageway and also'establishing and breaking communication betweenthe backof the piston and the afores'aidvent outlet. 7

1a. A drifting valve appliance comprising a'casing having a passageway which is con nected at one end to a source of saturated steam, and at the other end to the engine in dependent of the main steam supply thereof," a valve controlling said passageway, a piston connected to said valve and having an equalizing'port, a second valve in the'pas sageway, a vent ductleading from one side of the piston and having an outlet into the" second mentioned end of the passageway, a valve for said outlet; connected to the second mentioned valve, a controlling "valve for ad mitt'ing' steam "from the first mentioned end of the passageway to' the back of thepiston, said valve-being subject to the" ipre'ssuie'la't the second mentioned end of the passageway and also establishing and breaking communication between the back of the piston and the aforesaid vent outlet, a reservoir connected to the second mentioned end of the passageway and having an outlet to one side of the second mentioned valve, and an equalizing port from said side of the valve to its opposite side.

15. A drifting valve appliance comprising a passage establishing communication between a source of saturated steam and the engine independent of the main steam supply thereof, a valve mechanism controlling the passage, a reservoir having a supply connection with the outlet end of the passage, and a means for permitting an opening movement of the aforesaid valve mechanism, said means including a valve which closes the passage when seated, and is exposed on one side to the pressure in the reservoir and on the other side to the pressure in the outlet end of the passage.

16. A drifting valve appliance comprising a passage establishing communication between a source of saturated steam and the engine independent of the main steam supply thereof, a valve mechanism controlling the passage, a reservoir having a supply connection with the outlet end of the passage, a check valve in said supply connection, and a mean for permitting an opening movement of the aforesaid valve mechanism, said means including a valve which closes the passage when seated, and is exposed on one side to the pressure in the reservoir and on the other side to the pressure in the outlet end of the passage.

17. A drifting valve appliance comprising a passage establishing communication between a source of saturated steam and the engine independent of the main steam supply thereof, a valve mechanism controlling the passage, a reservoir having a supply connection with the pressure at the outlet end of the passage, a check valve in said supply connection, and a means for permitting an opening movement of the aforesaid valve mechanism, said means including a valve which closes the passage when seated, and is exposed on one side to the pressure in the reservoir and on the other side to the pressure in the outlet end of the passage.

18. A drifting valve appliance comprising a passage establishing communication between a source of saturated steam and the engine independent of the main steam supply thereof, a valve mechanism controlling the passage, a reservoir having a supply connection with the pressure at the outlet end of the passage, and a means for permitting an opening movement of the aforesaid valve mechanism, said means including a valve which closes the passage when seated, and is exposed on one side to the pressure in the reservoir and on the other side to the pressure in the outlet end of the passage.

19. A drifting valve appliance comprising a passage establishing communication between a source of saturated steam and the engine independent of the main steam supply thereof, a valve mechanism controlling the passage, and a means for permitting an opening movement of the aforesaid valve mechanism, said means including a valve which closes the passage when seated, and is normally exposed on both sides to the pressure in the outlet end of the passage.

WILLIAM T. BIDDLE. Witnesses:

Gnonen FREDERICK, ALBERT R. CLARK.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, I). C. i 

